One-third of bodies ‘unhappy’: study

By Alison Hsiao / Staff reporter

Tue, Jul 30, 2013 - Page 3

One in every three Taiwanese has an “unhappy body,” the John Tung Foundation said yesterday, adding that bodies of people aged between 20 and 39 are the most dejected of all.

The foundation conducted a survey on the state of people’s bodies, using a scale of five “body happiness messages” — the power of beautiful skin, soft stools, immunity, activeness and cheerfulness.

The survey found that according to the scale, 37 percent of those polled have “unhappy” bodies.

“In general, more women’s bodies are ‘unhappy’ than men’s, and nearly half of people aged 20 to 39 failed the happy body test,” said Hsu Hui-yu (許惠玉), head of the foundation’s food nutrition section. “By contrast, only 11 percent of those over 60 have unhappy bodies, overturning the stereotype that young people are always healthier.”

With 70 percent of those in the younger age group having fewer than two servings of fruit every day and 30 percent having fewer than one, the foundation said that unhappy bodies are the consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle and an unbalanced diet.

Hsu said that 77 percent of those polled who have three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit — as suggested by the Ministry of Health and Welfare — have happy bodies.

The foundation said that studies have shown that eating plenty of fruit and vegetables helps lower the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and helps maintain a normal blood pressure.

The foundation also said that fruit is the key to healthy and frequent bowel movements, with the chance of constipation doubling for those who do not eat enough.